IT IS rare for artists nowadays to show their faith in God in their works. Vicente Jr.R. Barretto is different. He believes that he was sought out by God.
One night, while praying, he had a vision of Christ dancing with him. For 17 years after that experience, his waking hours were devoted to pastoral service, evangelization, conversion.
That call of faith brought him to the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Bukidnon, where Abbot Eduardo P. Africa, OSB, helped him start a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ. That relationship is The Dance. El Baile. La Danza.
Nearly 33 years ago, Barretto painted the altar mural of the first monastery church. It was about the Transfiguration of the Lord and it was also a proclamation of his own spiritual conversion.
In 2013, he presented a one-man exhibit of Benedictine landscapes and still lifes, both physical and religious, titled “Idyll.”
On Aug. 5, he will present a one-man exhibit, “La Danza,” at the Museum of Transfiguration Monastery (MTM), in celebration of the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, also the founding anniversary of this monastery in Malaybalay.
“La Danza” is all about the Lord’s invitation to “dance with Him,” to follow His footsteps.
How one responds to the invitation to dance, whether a monk, a religious or a lay person, will make all the difference in one’s spiritual life.
The invitational opening on Aug. 5 is at 5:30 p.m. Exhibit runs Aug. 6-Sept. 15.
Call Dom Martin Gomez, OSB, at 0917-510-5585 or [email protected].
